School Improvement

The Center for School Improvement provides technical assistance, professional development, and information to state, district, and school educators, as well as parents and the community, especially those working in schools in need of improvement as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) adequate yearly progress (AYP) definitions and accountability provisions.

The AFT Center for School Improvement Web site includes information and resources about the following topics:

• The school improvement process
• Profiles of school districts engaged in the work of improving low performing schools
• Examples of contract language written to support school improvement efforts
• Information about the Center for School Improvement Leadership Institute
• Resources regarding school improvement
• Information on financial resources to support schools in need of improvement

Technical Assistance

AFT Center for School Improvement staff are available to help members access and use AFT resources for schools in need of improvement. For example, the Center for School Improvement staff may assist members in finding the appropriate resources and services or in drafting contract language to support educators and school improvement.

Professional Development

Center for School Improvement professional development opportunities include the following:

• Center for School Improvement Leadership Institute
• Educational Research and Dissemination (ER&D)
• Making Data Work for You

Information

The Center for School Improvement provides information on school improvement topics such as:

• Successful labor-management partnerships
• Effective school improvement teams
• Effective professional development

Who participates in the work of improving schools?

Improving schools requires the commitment and hard work of the entire community. Technical assistance, professional development, and information provided by the Center for School Improvement encourages labor, management, parents, and community members to work together and commit to the process of improving schools.

• Labor: Teachers, paraprofessionals, administrative and support staff and union leaders
• Management: Superintendents, principals, school board members and district support staff
• Parents: Parents, guardians and other caretakers
• Community members: Representatives from community-based organizations, social service and neighborhood organizations and associations and other community leaders

AFT leaders continually inspire educators through their vision of an equitable education available to all students.